18 - Scream!

The look on Derek’s face tells me he is even more surprised than I am. Derek put the weight of his entire body behind that punch, and Kyle blocked it like it was a love tap. He didn’t even flinch. What a psychological blow! And the cracking sound from Derek’s fist tells me the damage isn’t limited to his ego. Shock should compensate for the rest of the fight, which shouldn't be long.

I still can’t figure how he was able to take the force of that blow. Derek must have nearly a hundred pounds on him. That punch should have sent him flying thru the door. There is definitely more to him than I ever suspected. I’m glad I decided on these tests.

I see the Wandering Koala clench his fist crushing the bones in Derek’s hand even more – he may never use it again. He is able to somehow force Derek down to his knees before delivering two swift kicks to the stomach that end this fight. Someone had better find a body fluid kit.

My photographic memory captured every moment of the skirmish, but I wonder if I shouldn’t have supplemented it with a mechanical recording. Kyle is so much more than I ever suspected. The strength, the agility, the strategy – it’s almost beyond belief. I saw it with my own eyes, and I can still hardly believe it. I’d better hold off on the next test until I’ve had sufficient time to study this one. There was more to learn than expected.

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17 - Fight!

He walks down the isle flexing his rippling muscles and bulging veins beneath leathered skin. A bit clichéd for my taste, but theatrics never hurts in a fight. They often provide the psychological advantage to turn defeat into victory.

The Wandering Koala remains planted at the end of the aisle, his hands both hanging at his side. He gives no indication of his next move. Risky, but clever. And a great improvement from the last time I faced him. Back then he broadcast every move long before he made it making it easy to prepare a counterattack. But he appears to be much quicker and more lithe now. He can afford to take the gamble. And it forces his opponent to react to his lead.

Derek stops inches away from his foe in a forward stance. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kyle can feel his breathe. They stare into each other’s eyes. Are they waiting for the other to make the first move? No, Derek cocks his arm back slowly, deliberately announcing his next move.

Kyle doesn’t twitch an eyebrow.

Derek steps into the punch throwing the entire weight of his body behind it.

Kyle’s hand stops the punch two inches from his face. The whole car can fell the smack, but there isn’t even a hint of pain in his eyes.

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16 - Catch Me If You Can

The Wandering Koala slithers out from underneath his 240+ pound attacker and is on his feet in one motion. He gestures ‘come on’.

Derek holds his side as he rises to his feet. He wipes his mouth. “You got lucky. It won’t happen again.” He pounds his fist into the opposite hand repeatedly. He feints a strike then sends his other fist barreling thru the air. Kyle’s body moves to the side. Derek stops the punch in mid air and reverses it into a backhand strike. Kyle drops to the ground. The fist brushes over the tips of his hairs before smashing the back off an empty seat.

The onlooking passengers scurry over each other to the back screaming both out of fear and out of amusement.

The Wandering Koala springs into the air and leapfrogs over Derek’s head. Derek reaches up to grab him but is launched several feet forward by a sidekick in his back. He reaches out to catch himself but is thrown farther than he thought and sprawls forward onto his belly. The humiliation must be killing him.

Derek picks himself up, turns around rubbing his chin, and grins. “I’m surprised such a little guy packs so much wallop in his kicks. Maybe my employer didn’t overpay.”

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15 - To Choke a Sleeping Man

Derek is first. His 6’ 2” height, 57” chest, and 22” biceps command the attention of everyone in the room the moment he enters. Even the passengers glued to their phones look up as he passes by. I wonder if Kyle will sense him approaching or if Derek will get the drop on him. That would be useful information.

Derek reaches his row but still no response from Kyle. He slowly reaches across the two empty seats towards Kyle’s head leaning against the window. Several of the other passengers are now watching, curious what he’s doing.

Derek’s hands are inches from Kyle’s neck when Kyle’s left arm shoots up blocking Derek’s right hand. Kyle’s eyes snap open. Derek grabs his wrist and twists it down reaching for his neck with his left hand, but Kyle’s left arm is in the way. Derek grabs the other wrist and lifts Kyle in the air scraping his back across the ceiling. He arches him over and slams his body into the floor with a thud that echoes thru the entire car. Derek drops, planting his knee into Kyle’s chest and pinning his arms down above his head. A wicked smile crosses his face. “You’re not so tough. I think my employer overpaid.” The smile turns to a gasp as Kyle’s leg wraps itself around Derek’s neck and throws him against a row of seats. An armrest plunges into his side causing his eyes to bulge.

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14 - A Gang of Thugs

I stare at him, watching his chest rise and fall. I still can’t believe this is the great fighter, the unconquerable silent wanderer who has crossed more powerful men and groups than a Saturday movie serial champion. He still looks pathetic, like an indistinct nobody that would get lost in any crowd. If I hadn’t faced defeat at his hand personally, I would never have believed it. But that is one of his greatest weapons, his completely unassuming demeanor. His foes underestimate him giving him the advantage. I fell victim to that once. It won’t happen again. This time I will be fully prepared.

While waiting for the train in Lost Wages, I hired three of the city’s top hit men. I know none of them will be a match for him, but watching them fight will provide me with valuable information.

I’ve heard many stories about the Wandering Koala. It’s one of the most popular ghost stories that people on my side of the law like to tell to try and spook each other. I never thought any of them were real. Most people were just repeating stories they’d heard from someone else. The few people I met who had actually tangled with him were so messed up, I logically assumed they had either lost their minds or were telling tales to cope with the loss. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that even a fraction of the stories I’ve heard may be real. I will find out soon enough.

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